I f your taste in classic motorcycles leans toward flowing lines, brilliant chrome and lots of metal, the 1953 Indian Chief fits the bill. That year also marks the demise of the motorcycle maker, which introduced its flamboyant Chief in 1922.

The sheer size of the bike leaves an instant impression. But it’s really no bigger or heavier than Honda’s Gold Wing or ST1100.

On the other hand, anyone accustomed to riding a modern-day bike would have a bit of a learning curve once they got aboard a Chief. Along with drum brakes and a plunger-type rear suspension, the Indian has a three-speed, hand-shift suspension and a 1300cc, or 80 cubic inch, engine. –LS

I f your taste in classic motorcycles leans toward flowing lines, brilliant chrome and lots of metal, the 1953 Indian Chief fits the bill. That year also marks the demise of the motorcycle maker, which introduced its flamboyant Chief in 1922.

The sheer size of the bike leaves an instant impression. But, says Marks Mederski of the American Motorcycle Association, “they’re no bigger, clumsier or heavier than a Gold Wing or ST 1100 (both made by Honda).”

On the other hand, “Anyone who is used to a present day machine would have a little bit of a learning curve.”

Along with drum brakes and a plunger-type rear suspension, the Indian featured a three-speed, hand-shift suspension. Indians were powered by 1300 cc, or 80 cubic inch, engines.

Expect to pay $18,000 to $25,000 for a running Indian Chief, and more if the bike has been restored by an expert.

“One interesting thing about Indians and for that matter Knuckleheads and Vincent Black Shadows is that unlike some other makes you can buy every piece of all three of those motorcycles brand new. So you no longer need new old stock,” Mederski says.

It would cost a fortune to build a new bike from new parts, but the availability of new parts makes Indian ownership a lot more inviting.

For those preferring to buy an original Chief and restore it, rather than buying a concours model, there are examples out there, Mederski says. But he also advises that would-be buyers be patient when shopping.

“The biggest challenge in any restoration is to have all the right parts in place before you start the job. And that’s why buying a machine that’s complete but scrubby is favorable to buying a machine that is incomplete.”

By Lawrence Sanata. Photos by Michael Sanata.

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1953 Indian Chief

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